Thanks for posting those details. This is very informative.
Do you use the EZE -Kote even when you prime? What are the benefits of both EZE Kote and primer?
Yes, I use EZE-Kote as the step before priming. The product is a finishing/laminating resin, so it gives the cardboard a tough coating that keeps masking tape from pulling up the paper coating. Paint typically softens the paper, making it too easy for the tape to rip it up. The EZE-Kote prevents that.
I do prime over it because the EZE-Kote finishes shiny and I feel the paint adheres better to the primer.
What are your thoughts or preferences between a gravity feed or siphon feed airbrush?
I prefer gravity feed because I do other paint projects that require finer detail. Gravity feed brushes offer a more consistent paint flow, so less chance of air pockets and sputtery spray. That being said, for large projects that require a higher volume of paint, siphon feed is attractive because you can run a bigger paint container. It would work well for priming and single-colour rockets where you don't want to stop and refill.
I, however, do not own a siphon feed brush. I have three gravity feeds.
Is the Airbrush Flow Improver still water clean-up?
Yes. It gets mixed with the paint like a thinner.
When you use the heat gun, can you mask the next coat sooner, even if the paint underneath is still not fully dry?
I don't use a heat gun, although I own one. The hair drier uses much lower heat than a heat gun, even when on high-heat.
Yes, this does allow for masking sooner because it dries the paint more quickly. Waterbased paint, as a rule, dries more quickly anyway but the warm air blowing over speeds the process up further.
No, I would not mask over paint that is not fully dry. The tape will pull the damp paint off the surface. This is why you do it in lighter coats. It allows each coat to cure more quickly, allowing you to work faster.
What size/type of compressor do you use or recommend?
I use 20 gallon stand-up compressor. This is really only because I happen to have one. I use it for my air tools.
A 5 gallon brad nailer compressor would work fine. Paasche also makes a nice little airbrush compressor with a tank on it. They tend to be more expensive than your typical tool compressor, but they're very quiet in comparison, and usually come with a moisture trap. A moisture trap is very importand on smaller compressors and when using oil-based paints. It keeps water out of your paint and air lines. My 20 gallon has enough volume that I never have moisture problems but I would install a moisture trap if I was spraying oil or lacquer paint.
Thanks! Being able to airbrush a water based paint seems very appealing to me.
No problem! Using waterbased paint allows me to paint all winter in my basement workshop. It doesn't stink up the house or have harsh chemicals in it.